Runners support housing Habitat for Humanity India

Mumbai, Feb 08: Habitat for Humanity India, a leading housing non-profit organisation, raised awareness about the need for decent shelter and sanitation at the recently concluded Tata Mumbai Marathon 2024. 189 professionals ran in support of Habitat India’s vision of building a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Corporate professionals, entrepreneurs, fitness enthusiasts and school students put their best foot forward to raise awareness about Habitat’s work.

The runners consisted of 180 employees of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI). In addition to running the marathon, SPNI is making a significant impact by partnering with Habitat for Humanity India to build sanitation units for 2 Zilla Parishad (ZP) schools and provide 3 ZP schools with access to solar energy in Khed block of Pune district, Maharashtra. This noteworthy project is set to positively touch the lives of over 250 students across 5 schools, fostering a better environment and infrastructure.

The marathon also witnessed an active participation of 9 individual runners including several notable individuals such as Neeraj Roy, Founder, Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.; Raunaq Roy, Senior Vice President, Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.; Hemant Hemnani, Senior Financial Advisor; Shailaraj Karkera, Founder, Vikhroli Fitness Community (VFC); Vandita Jain, Nutritionist; Sanjay Mittal, Managing Director, Interra Systems and Atul Ladha, Director, Vectus Industries Ltd.

They were joined by Vir Kamath, an IBDP 2 student from Ascend International School (Bandra, Mumbai), who along with 15 other students – 5 from Ascend International School and 11 from Oberoi International School (Goregaon, Mumbai) - used the platform of Tata Mumbai Marathon to mobilise INR 3,03,547 to support Habitat for Humanity's mission.

James Samuel, National Director (Interim), Habitat for Humanity India said, "Year on year, business leaders, students, youngsters and corporate professionals who believe that everyone needs decent shelter, participate in the Tata Mumbai Marathon to support Habitat for Humanity’s vision of building a world where everyone has a decent place to live. We express heartfelt gratitude towards all the 189 runners who ran for us this year. We are thankful to Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), Ascend International School and Oberoi International School for their support. A big thank you to United Way Mumbai – the philanthropy partner of the Tata Mumbai Marathon for giving us this incredible opportunity to raise awareness about Habitat for Humanity India’s work. We encourage corporates, young professionals to join hands with Habitat for Humanity India through mediums such as Tata Mumbai Marathon so that families in need of decent shelter can build brighter futures.''

Rajkumar Bidawatka – Head CSR, Sony Pictures Networks India expressed pride in the company's association with Habitat for Humanity India and said, "We support meaningful causes that create a positive and lasting impact on our community. The enthusiastic participation of our employees, each lacing up their running shoes to make a difference was heart-warming. Partnering with Habitat for Humanity is a natural choice for us owing to their impactful work in housing, sanitation, and disaster response management.